Senators bench Andrew Hammond for Craig Anderson

The Ottawa Senators are turning back to Craig Anderson in net, benching regular-season sensation Andrew Hammond for Game 3 against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 p.m. ET).

Coach Dave Cameron revealed hisdecisionat the morning skate in Ottawa.

"Personally, it's disappointing," Hammondsaid. "You want to play every game; every goaltender wants to play every game. But all you can do at this point is be ready and support everything the team's doing right now."

The rookie Hammond helped Ottawarally to an improbable playoff berth with his impressive play over the final weeks of the regular season, but he and the Senators lost their opening two playoff games in Montreal.

Anderson was Ottawa's starter for much of the season before he and then-backup Robin Lehner were injured, paving the way for Hammond's ascension.

Hammond, 27, made his first NHL start on Feb. 18 and promptly won 14 out of15, with the lone loss coming in a shootout. Hematched a 76-year-old record by allowing two or fewer goals in his first 12 NHL starts and finished the regular season with a 20-1-2 record and a sparkling 1.79 goals-against averageas Ottawa stormed from out of contention to qualify for the playoffs on the regularseason's final day.

Along the way, Hammond became a cult hero of sorts, with a nickname ("the Hamburglar") to match.

But hedidn't look as sharp in the first two games of the Senators' playoff series against Montreal, losing 4-3 in Game 1 and 3-2 in overtime in Game 2, putting Ottawa in a hole as the series shifts back home on Sunday.

Anderson, 33,lost the starting job to Hammondafter injuring his hand in late January, then posted a 3.42 GAA in his final four starts after returning.

"Hammond came in here and did a wonderful job," Andersonsaid. "He got us to where we are right now.

"Because of what he did, I'm in the situation now talking to you [reporters]. I actually owe him a thank you and a pat on the back."

Cameron also said he expects to insert tough veteran Chris Neil into the third line in place of Alex Chiasson. Neil hasn't played a game since Feb. 14.